Kirsty Rosie
High Life Highland Countryside Ranger for East Caithness and North East Sutherland
Meet Kirsty Rosie, High Life Highland countryside ranger for East Caithness and North East Sutherland. Find out what makes this area so unique and what wildlife, flora and fauna you can see when visiting the area..
About me
I grew up in the fishing village of Keiss, just south of John O’ Groats, which if you don’t just drive through it, you can go down the village street to enjoy our postcard perfect harbour and views. As a child I assumed everyone had the pleasure of opening their door to a wildlife haven every morning. Living atop the harbour brae we had almost 360 degree views of white sand beaches, clifftops adorned with lighthouse and castles, the sparkly depths of Sinclair’s bay to explore on our dad’s fishing boat. The secrets of the rockpools to uncover beneath our feet were all framed by the diminutive yet perfectly formed Caithness hills on the horizon. I left Caithness to study and work, but needless to say I never found anywhere that compared and have happily returned to stay. I have worked as a Countryside Ranger here for 8 years and it’s a great privilege to share my passion for Caithness with our visitors. I’m a born and bred ‘Gollach’, a name the Gaelic Highlanders across the rest of the NC500 would give a person from Caithness. Translated roughly as the ‘strangers who don’t speak Gaelic’ it will give you a glimpse of our intriguing past; of commerce, of migration and of strong overseas ties that flavour our unique corner of the route. You will notice the landscape flatten, the population increase and even the stones beneath your feet change as you arrive in Caithness, ‘the lowlands beyond the highlands’.
Visiting the area
The East Caithness cliffs are a very special habitat. The coastline offers breath taking formations such as natural arches, sea stacks and caves. The internationally important and protected cliffs are home to thousands of breeding seabirds over the summer months and include guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, shags, fulmars and puffins. Tysties (black guillemots) often paddle close by on the sea and breed in the crevices along the cliffs. Below your feet are colourful plants such as sea pink and spring squil. Our endemic primula scotica can also be found in some locations. Soaring seabirds overhead and out to sea, often the fin of one of our cetacean species, which may include an orca, minke whale or bottlenose dolphin. The inquisitive grey seal is never too far away and can be seen basking on rocks close by. Elusive otters also use the steep sided ‘geos’ to access feeding grounds and can be spotted by lucky onlookers.
It is a truly dramatic landscape filled with colours, scents and sounds of wildlife all around. We would be delighted if you could come on one of our walks to see for yourself and feel inspired by what nature has to offer.
For more information about the High Life Highlands Ranger Service or if you want to get in touch to find out about guided walks or events or report wildlife sightings please find our details at our website https://www.highlifehighland.com/rangers/
